Entlebuch, Lucerne
In the Entlebuch project, volunteers in the Hilferntal valley are working to protect the protective forests and the cultural landscape. They assist with reforestation efforts following storm damage and bark beetle infestations, maintain existing stands, and thus help preserve stable, resilient protective forests.
Forest and cultural landscape
The Hilferntal valley lies between the municipalities of Escholzmatt and Marbach. In the 19th century, the forests in the Entlebuch region were heavily overexploited. The introduction of the Swiss Federal Forest Police Act of 1876 led to large-scale reforestation efforts; today, the forests are uniform in many places and, in some cases, unstable. Storm Lothar (1999) and subsequent bark beetle damage, primarily caused by the European spruce bark beetle, resulted in extensive areas of damage. Regular minor storms further expanded these areas. Today, open forest patches and dry tree stumps characterize the landscape.
Idea and goals
The goal of the project is the sustainable management and restoration of the protective forests in the Hilferntal valley. The Mountain Forest Project supports the Lucerne State Forestry Office in reforesting and managing areas damaged by bark beetles and in implementing measures to safeguard the forest’s protective function. At the same time, the stability of the forests is improved and biodiversity is promoted, ensuring that the forest can fulfill its ecological and protective roles in the long term.
Project partnerships: The project works closely with the Lucerne State Forestry Service to implement reforestation, protective forest maintenance, and wildlife protection measures in a sustainable manner.
What you can expect
The work is flexibly adapted to current needs as well as weather and terrain conditions and may vary. Key activities include maintaining the protective forest, building and maintaining wildlife fences, caring for young trees, and building and maintaining trails. All work is carried out under the guidance of experienced project and group leaders.
We kick off on Sunday with an introduction to the Mountain Forest Project and the week’s schedule. Each day starts early: breakfast is at 6:30 a.m., followed by work. A highlight is the weekly forestry excursion in the surrounding area. In addition to forestry work, volunteers also take on simple household tasks at the accommodation, such as tidying up or doing the dishes.
Check out more photos from the project!
Organisatorisches
Hürnli Hut, a mountain hut at 1,500 meters above sea level
- Dormitory
- Restroom / Wash at the spring
- Water from the spring
- No electricity
- Camping allowed
Breakfast and dinner at the accommodation, lunch in the forest
- Whole-food
- regional
- seasonal
- organic
- Low meat content (vegetarian alternative available)
- Sturdy, high-top hiking boots (above the ankle) with a treaded sole (two pairs recommended)
- Work clothes, work gloves
- Rain jacket, rain pants (gaiters recommended)
- Warm clothing (we’ll be in the mountains)
- Slippers
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
- Daypack, pocket knife, water bottle (thermos recommended)
- Hand towel/shower towel
- Personal items
- Sleeping bag, fitted sheet
- Luggage: Traveling with a backpack is recommended
- Good physical condition and sure-footedness. The work may take place on steep terrain.
- Please arrive at the meeting point on time. Late arrival or early departure is not permitted.
- Participants must follow the instructions of the project staff.
- Insurance is the responsibility of the participants.
- Photos will be taken during the project week and may be published in our publications. Please contact the project leadership if you do not consent to this.
For environmental reasons, please use public transportation or carpool to get here—parking is not available.
Meeting point: (Only for those with confirmed registration!)
Sunday, 4:36 p.m., “Escholzmatt” train station
Direct transport from the meeting point to the accommodation via Bergwaldprojekt vehicles
Departure: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. from the meeting point.
Registration is binding. If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration immediately by calling +41 (0)81 650 40 40 or emailing info@bergwaldprojekt.ch. We will be available on
the day of arrival in case of emergencies. The relevant phone number will be posted in the project information section of your profile shortly before the project begins.